Today's News

A Holden Beach woman reported missing five years ago has been safely found living in Columbus, Ohio.

Rachel Natacha Owens was 15 when she was reported missing May 5, 2011. Video footage showed Owens getting off her school bus at South Brunswick High School and into a small, dark-colored car on her own without force.

Owens was located in Columbus about noon Friday, Dec. 9, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Emily Flax said in a news release.

No foul play was involved in Owens’ disappearance and no charges are being filed.

Serena Perkins of Leland became Brunswick County’s fourth lottery winner of 2016 when she won $100,000 in the Dec. 7 Powerball drawing, beating the 1 in 913,129 odds.

Perkins claimed her prize Dec. 8 at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, according to a North Carolina Education Lottery news release. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she received $69,250.

BOLIVIA — New and re-elected members of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners took their oath of office during their meeting Monday night, Dec. 5.

Commissioners Pat Sykes and Frank Williams were sworn in to the Districts 3 and 5 seats they retained, respectively, and Mike Forte took his seat after winning the race to replace board chairman Scott Phillips, who decided not to run again for the District 4 seat he’d held since 2008.

SUNSET BEACH — Following much discussion and debate, a majority of Sunset Beach Town Council on Monday night voted to rescind a prior action Nov. 15 to ban cabanas on the beach.

Sunset Beach Mayor Robert Forrester opened discussion at the Dec. 5 meeting stating prior reports council had enacted a ban on the sun-shading devices wasn’t accurate because such an action would have required an ordinance amendment and four affirmative votes, which didn’t occur at the Nov. 15 meeting.

The Marie Holmes Foundation will sponsor a toy giveaway and provide refreshments for children in the community at the Shallotte Senior Center on Saturday, Dec. 10, from noon to 3 p.m.

This event, held in conjunction with the Kids Connect Charitable Fund, is intended to spread the spirit of the holidays in the Shallotte community and to provide gifts to children in the area who might not otherwise get a toy. Pizza and other refreshments will also be provided.

SOUTHPORT — Lela Tobler was ready when a team of Duke Energy volunteers showed up at her house last week to do much-needed repairs on her home.

The team from across the Cape Fear region had partnered with Brunswick Housing Opportunities’ Home SAFE program, a comprehensive home assessment and modification program for seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners.